Family Sues Ford Motor Company and local dealership over fatality in Ford Explorer
March 24, 2005
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Salma Kattoura had her entire life ahead of her, a vivacious, bright and focused college student who on August 20, 2003, was headed back to school after a long summer break.
Ms. Kattoura was driving northbound on the Florida Turnpike at or about mile post 176 in Indian River County. Her 1999 Ford Explorer suddenly and unexpectedly went out of control and rolled over. Ms. Kattoura was fully seat belted in the vehicle. Yet, during the Explorer’s crash sequence, the vehicle’s seat system including its seatback, seatbelt and retractor mechanism failed to provide adequate protection for her in this unforeseen accident and Salma Kattoura was killed in the crash.
Salma Kattoura had operated her brother’s Ford Explorer many times. The vehicle was well maintained and equipped with Michelin tires.
It was discovered that Ford Motor Company had the duty to design, develop, manufacture, market, assemble, test, sell and distribute a safe vehicle. However, the Explorer was designed and manufactured with inadequate rollover resistance as well as an inferior seat system, which includes the seatback, seatbelt, and retractor mechanism. Additionally, in this particular accident Ms. Kattoura had packed the vehicles cargo compartment for her return to college and in the rollover the defective nature of this area of the Explorer added to what ended in this young woman’s death.
“The company negligently designed a number of things on this vehicle. Perhaps first and foremost is that even today the Explorer has inadequate rollover resistance. We have seen countless incidences of this Ford model in unexplained rollover crashes. Beyond that, the vehicle’s seat, and seat belt restraint system proved defective in saving this young woman’s precious life,” said Edward Ricci, attorney and senior partner in the Palm Beach Gardens law firm of Ricci~Leopold.
“Ford designed a vehicle that is quite simply a continuing ‘accident waiting to happen’ if you will. A backseat that did not provide adequate strength or distribution of forces during Ford did not properly test the vehicle, warn buyers, and recall the vehicle upon learning of its defects. This behavior and disregard for safety and human life over profits is appalling,” Ricci added.
The action filed in circuit court does not mention specific damages.
Wayne Ackers Ford is included in the lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Kattoura’s parents for placing the Explorer into commerce even with knowledge that this Ford model posed great safety risks.
“This is a continuing cause of great concern for consumers and me personally,” added Theodore Leopold. “There are countless families and individuals on roads at this moment driving a Ford Explorer. This is one of Ford’s most popular and profitable models. It is simply a life-threatening place to be. I am steadfast in the fact that we want to prevail in this case for this young woman’s surviving family, but beyond that I am driven to make consumers aware of the risk, danger and potential for fatal injury as an outcome as well,” Leopold concluded.
Edward M. Ricci and Theodore J. Leopold are partners in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. The firm founded in 1982, has five attorneys and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with offices located at 2925 PGA Blvd. Mr. Ricci and Mr. Leopold can be contacted at 561-684-6500. Additional information about Ricci~Leopold, P.A. may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.riccilaw.com.
